momlambert

Club soda probably isn't your best solution, Jersey. My doctor and I know many others prohibit any carbonation so I'd be careful with that. A few things work for me--raising my hands above my head usually does the trick (I act like I'm stretching) and, if that doesn't work, I chew a few papaya enzyme tablets--they act like Drano for me. I've only had to do that a few times now that I know to chew, chew, chew (my dr. says your bites should be the size of m & m's) and to avoid certain foods. I also often get a bad case of "first bite syndrome" so I try to eat a bite of something small before I sit down with people and then wait 15-20 minutes before attempting to eat. That usually does the trick for me. Just a few suggestions--good luck!

Oh, I'm so sad about Green, Indio. Thanks for the update. I think of her often but can't get on the boards as much as I would like to and haven't been able to spend time finding her. She really was an inspiration and has such a great outlook on life--even after her diagnosis. She was amazing. I'm still here from two years ago but mostly lurk. I haven't been as successful as the others so it's hard to post sometimes but I'm happy with my loss and look and feel SO much better that I can't complain. The last two years have been incredibly challenging for me--the hardest two years of my life. I can only imagine how much I'd weigh now without the band. Congrats on your success, everyone, and congrats to you new bandsters. It's a great decision at any age, I believe.

:ihih: Yes, I hear you! Mine went back to school (PhD in math that he always wanted) so that has helped. But, he's much more attentive and loving than he was before so that's nice. It's easy to wake up one morning and wonder who that is next to you in bed now that they are around and available after retirement. So far, so good for us as well.

For sure, Carol! It's a big blur--we were SO busy and involved with life. It's nice now to have a little time to really be together without so many interruptions. Glad we still like each other!

Thanks, Carol. It was a good day--we went last night with a small group of friends and family to dinner and then to see Pixar's UP! and stayed till the end to see (and cheer) my son-in-law's name in the credits. It was exciting! Fun and tender movie, as I sat there next to my sweetheart of 41 years and thought of growing old together. A good day!

Just checkin' in with my 2007 Marchies! You guys are amazing--goals! plastic surgery! life changes! Awesome! I'm doing well. Turned 60 yesterday--that was a milestone for sure. I'm so glad I've lost the weight I have--it would have been a much harder day if I was old AND fat! I was laid off from my job in January and spent four months traveling the country and seeing every one of my kids and grandkids--what a wonderful time I had! Precious memories. Then I started a new job and have been at it for 3 weeks. The learning curve is pretty steep but I'm hanging in there and am so grateful to have gotten a job. Sent out over 150 resumes before finally landing this one. You guys are doing SO well--keep up the good work and good luck with the ps aftermath, healing, and bikini-wearing! Have a great summer, everyone.

Try this link: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f5/ticker-tutorial-pictures-41782/ Good luck!

Oh, Barb, I'm so sorry for your bad news but grateful they are optimistic about your prognosis--that is VERY good news given the circumstances. When will you have the surgery? Please keep us informed. We are always our parents' children, aren't we? And no parent wants to see his or her child sick or suffering in any way. Hugs to your Dad--I'm sure he loves his little girl. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. Good luck to you. Karen

Welcome, Jenny, and congrats on your surgery. This is a pretty quiet thread but I think we are hoping to get together somewhere soon. Sorry your dr's office didn't provide the support you need. Hopefully you can find support here on this site. Hope you are feeling well by now. Are you still on liquids? Who did your surgery? It's tough at first with the liquids then mushies then solids with no restriction but you'll be ready for a fill in no time. Good luck to you! Karen

Hey fellow Marchies! So good to hear from you. I do follow this thread but don't post much. Sorry! Today is my 41st wedding anniversary and tomorrow my 2nd bandiversary. I haven't done as well as I hoped with the band but with the way my life has gone the past two years, I can only imagine what I'd weigh without the band, so I'm happy! I was laid off in January so decided that I should use this down time to do the things I want to do, which includes losing the last of my weight. SO, yesterday my newly purchased Wii Fit arrived and I spent an hour on it (I'm SO sore today). I figure if I do that in addition to my usual 3 days of Water aerobics and 3 days of Curves, that should make a difference. Also, this morning I went to Weight Watchers (I'm a lifetime member from 30 years ago) and hope to be able to incorporate that with band eating. I've really slacked on my discipline lately and need some extra structure. So, I'm back on my way! You guys look AWESOME! I'm so proud of you and all you have accomplished and overcome in the past two years. Good for you! :sneaky: Thanks for sharing your joys and challenges--I have appreciated walking this path with you and hope we can continue. Good luck to all of you undergoing PS--what a great reward for your hard work. Can't wait to see the after pictures. Keep it up, Marchies!

I haven't told anyone but my husband, sister, and children. I've lost very slowly so no one really questions my weight loss but if they comment I tell them that it's been a lot of work and it's MOSTLY diet and exercise (which I believe is true) and a few other factors. With losing as slowly as I have, I'm really glad that I didn't tell people--their expectations would be over the top, I believe. Anyway, that's my perspective. I live in Midway but would be glad to come to the valley. Thanks for choosing March--I'll be back in town on the 12th and will look forward to getting together. Anywhere is fine--just let me know. I'm trying to think of suggestions--not too familiar with SLC restaurants. We lived in Provo before and I would have some suggestions if there are a majority of people from Utah county. One place in SLC that might be a possibility is Cowboy Grub on Foothill Boulevard. They have a nice salad bar as well as soup and a full menu. It's hard to stay away from their daily pie special, though ($1 for a piece of the pie of the day). So I'm open for anything! Welcome to the newbies! Karen

It looks like I'll be out of town beginning the 19th of February until March 12 so will miss getting together. Let me know if you want to get together again after I get back--I'd love to meet you all! I was laid off January 9, which is the bad news, but now I get to go visit my grandkids in San Francisco, New York City, and Connecticut since I don't have a job--which is definitely the GOOD news! Hope everyone is doing well. Karen

I'd love to join you for dinner sometime but live in Midway and don't get to the valley very often. But let me know if you find a time and I'll do my best to be there--sounds fun! Karen

So good to hear from you, Janine--and everyone else as well! I've been super busy with work (our busiest season) so haven't been posting at all. I'm in Vail, CO for our Board of Trustees meeting--after this and the holidays things will settle down for me (I hope). Everyone is doing so well--I'm happy for all of you. I'm continuing my very slow but sure weight loss and I'm fine with that. I feel like a "normal" person now--whatever that is! But I'm not embarrassed anymore at meetings like this or in public. I'm still overweight but not obese and I'm happy about that. Wearing size 14 jeans (after 2X's) feels wonderful. I feel that my adjustment is finally where it should be--I have to eat slowly and chew very well, can't eat in the morning before drinking something warm/hot, and am limited throughout the day and evening to less than a cup of food. So life is good! To answer your question, Janine, this year is an "off" year for our family--all 25 of us were together last year and hopefully will be again next year but we have to share with the in-laws, you know. So this year only 4 of our children and one grandchild will be with us. We always buy matching pajamas for Christmas Eve and those have been sent to everyone. I bought each family a little Christmas decoration (it's a cute stuffed snowman that has embroidery on it that says "Families are Forever because Love Never Melts"). Then I always buy children's books for the kids and the grandkids--we are collectors of such. Other than that, probably a few things under the tree for those actually here on Christmas morning but that's it this year. I love my little swivel sweeper and the kids covet in when they visit so if I can justify it, I'll send each family one of those but that's just on my wish list. Pretty simple this year (thank goodness!). So just a wordy checkin to my Marchie friends. Keep up the good work and have a wonderful holiday season! Karen

Why tell them? My mom still doesn't know and she lives nearby. Neither do any of my friends. I've been banded a year and a half and no one knows but my husband and kids--I like it that way! No explaining. No one "watching." No one wondering why I'm not losing more or if I should be eating this or that or if I'm ready to PB or whatever. My Mom would we one to be saying, "are you sure it's okay if you eat that?" or "I talked to so and so and they said...", etc. I'm happy in my own little band world. When people ask how I've lost weight I honestly say, "Several factors but eating less and exercising more has been key." Just a thought!

Oh, I hear ya! A funny thing happened to me, too. I always order my clothes through a catalog or online because I can't stand trying to try things on in a dressing room. So I've been ordering from the same catalog for years and years and was in 2x in most things (some 1x). Well, I started a new job and the dress "code" is jeans--I haven't had jeans for many years but the last pair I had was a 2x. So my catalog company had a $20 off "Shape Me" jeans and I decided to order a pair. I was HOPING I could get in a Women's 18 but was doubtful so I ordered it anyway (I have a very big stomach). The jeans came and THEY WERE WAY TOO BIG! So I called the company and had them send a size 16--figuring I'd have to "grow" into them. Guess what? They were also TOO BIG! So I finally got the courage to order a 14 and they fit perfectly. Who knew???? Not ME, that's for sure! So exciting! I just can't believe I wear a size 14 jean. Amazing. Simply amazing.

Congrats thickchick! That's just awesome--I'm so proud of you. Good luck in your new adventure.

Congrats, Janine. :thumbup::thumbup::thumbdown::crying::cool::smile2::thumbup::biggrin::w00t::wink::thumbup: So happy for you! You are on your way this time, gurrrrrrrrrllllllllllll!!! I'm so happy for you (can you tell?). The future is bright, indeed!

Woohooooooo, Janine! So happy for you! You're going to do great--just like you did last time but even better because you'll have it longer. Congrats! Don't forget about us Marchies--you're one of us! Purple: we are band sisters, remember? So happy for your great loss--way to go! If I'd lost half that much I'd be thrilled. But I'm still planning on goal by March '09. You are an inspiration. As is Juli and all the rest of you Marchies. And as far as diplomas, I graduated from college in August 2006 at age 57--it was wonderful. My grandkids walked with me. Joyous day! Self-improvement and meeting goals is always a good thing, no matter when it happens. Congrats, Juli! and good luck Whitepants--all things are possible, right? Happy September, friends. We are getting to our goals in different ways and at different speeds but we are all getting there and for that we should all be grateful.

No, I don't think M & M's would work for me. I used colored paper clips once and made a long chain I hung from a magnet on the refrigerator. It was nice to see!

I hear ya', SugarBear and Carol! I'm fighting the same battle--I'm right there with you. We can do this! We are doing it now and we will continue--we're going in the right direction! I haven't joined the slow losers because I just can't go there yet and admit that I'm one of "them"--I keep hoping things will change and trying different formulas to make things change. Denial? Maybe. But I just have to stay positive and know that THIS WILL WORK! And it has--just not to the degree I had hoped. But, like you said, I can't imagine what I would weigh now without the band and I do feel so much better! Good luck to all!

It is strange how that works, jb! My doctor has said two things that might apply. One is that for some reason people have more trouble with leftovers than with something cooked fresh. Another is that the band changes tightness throughout the day and it is hard to tell--think of any rings you might wear on your fingers. Sometimes they are tighter some days or even at times during the day than they are at other times--the band seems to be the same. I wonder if we can tell how tight we are by feeling how tight our rings are? Hmmm. Probably not--that would be too easy! Good luck!

Yes, I was banded at Alta View. And you are right--Swiss Days is August 28-30 this year. Oh, I wish you were still here! I would love a hand-carved Santa. We have lived here since October 2007 and we do feel that we live in Paradise.

pj_txlady, I presume lynnt was talking about cindylew's post.

Apparently (as Janet said), the bands can hold more than the capacity they are known by. My doctor did do the 1 cc the 1st time and then .5 after that for a couple but as I got closer he slowed it down to .1 most times. It was frustrating for a long time but I'm doing well now and finally feeling like I really do have a band! Hoping the weight loss kicks in now--the scale is moving again although slowly. Thanks for the hugs, Janet. I needed that.